When nine-year-old Tiger Days stays with her grandmother at Willowgate House she never knows what might happen… new friends to meet, animals to rescue and problems to solve!

Tiger’s grandmother looks after animals in need and on her first visit, Tiger quickly learns how to feed a baby warthog and keep it safe. Tiger already has her hands full, but then a mysterious sound leads her to another little animal…

At Willowgate House, no day is ever dull for Tiger!

Image: HarperCollins Children's Books / Big Shot PR

As a child, stories about animals were always among my favourites to read. Tiger Days is a series that would have been right up my street when I was younger, and even reading it now as an adult I still really enjoyed the book.

As her name suggests, Tiger Days loves tigers - hands down, they're her favourite animal. Luckily for Tiger, her grandma looks after animals in need. In the holidays, Tiger goes to stay with her grandma at old, rambling, falling-down Willowgate House. During her time at Willowgate, Tiger learns to love and care for an orphaned baby warthog that comes to stay. Along with her new-found friend Tom, the two children gradually learn to become animal trainers.

Bravery

Above all else. this is a really sweet story about family, friendship, and being brave. It's written incredibly well - no one aspect of the book overshadows the others, and it's engaging enough to keep younger readers entertained while also being sufficiently interesting for older readers. Tiger's growing friendship with Tom and the way she gradually gets to know her grandma better are really lovely to read about.

However, it's her relationship with the animals that really sets this story apart. Throughout the book, Tiger's attitude to animals, particularly the baby warthog, changes drastically. She starts off being almost repulsed by the warthog, before slowly coming to accept it. The passage where she gives it a name and the reason she gives for the name she chooses is incredibly touching, reaching a level of maturity many books for adults would struggle to achieve.

A brilliant start to the Tiger Days series, I'm looking forward to reading about Tiger's next adventure!